Any, even the most modern computing system without control programs is a useless set of electronic elements: transistors, capacitors, microcircuits, etc. Between living beings and computers, you can even draw a certain analogy by comparing the soul with software and the body with hardware components. It's no secret that in order to achieve maximum efficiency in work, a person needs to be tuned in a certain way. The same is true for computing systems: adjusting the parameters of the operating system makes it possible to a certain extent to expand the functionality.
Out of the box performance
Windows systems are the most common. They are used by at least 80% of owners of computers and laptops. And the "killer" of the windows - the famous "Linux", is content with the remnants of the market. That is why a greater number of users are interested in how the configuration of the Windows system is performed.
Developers from Microsoft, promoting their OSes, come from the fact that to work with it does not require any special training (compare with Linux), and all functions are available immediately after installation. How can one not recall Vladimir Ilyich with his famous statement about a state run by a cook. It is worth recognizing that in “Windows” this idea was able to be implemented. So, with just a mouse, even a student can control the system.
Lack of versatility
However, if after installation the operating system was not configured, you should not expect anything special from the computer. He will work "like everyone else." Stable, reliable, but, most often, not in the most optimal way. Like a race car whose speed is artificially limited for safety reasons.
Each user uses a computer to solve only his inherent tasks. The speed of the system is important for one, for which a person is ready to sacrifice the beauty of the interface; another - energy efficiency; Well, and the third - the disclosure of the potential of installed hardware components. Correctly executed system configuration allows you to satisfy everyone's needs.
Featured Feature
The developers, understanding all the disadvantages of universality, implemented a software mechanism that allows you to make adjustments to the system. There are two ways to do this: install a specialized application and use it to configure the OS or make changes using standard tools. The first option is more efficient and allows you to implement some hidden features. The second in terms of use is completely safe. For beginners, we recommend choosing it. Next, we will look at how the system is configured in Windows 7.
Reduce RAM consumption and CPU load
Each program that is in the RAM in the background takes part of the hardware resources. If the user really needs the application, then this behavior is justified. Otherwise, you need to disable it.
After installing the OS and all supporting applications, the system 7 must be configured. To do this, press the Win + R combination and type msconfig (Enter) in the line that appears. Next, in the header, specify the "Startup" section with the mouse. Here, the entries in the first column indicate programs that start without user intervention at system startup. A checkmark allows launching, and its absence prohibits launching. For example, you can safely turn off Microsoft Office 2010 startup, which is responsible for synchronization, if, of course, this feature is not needed. The same goes for the completely useless ACDInToch service, which is part of a well-known image viewer.
Please note that the system configuration in Windows 7, performed through the cleaning of startup, should not be thoughtless. Some programs from the list are needed. For example, Punto Switcher is needed to automatically switch languages; WheelMouse for mouse support; wmagent for the correct operation of the WebMoney client, etc. The solution is as follows: finding information on each line, we can conclude that this or that program is needed in the autorun section.
A hundred nannies ... Turn off the defender
A change through msconfig does not end the system configuration. The setup is more complicated. For example, not everyone knows that through a standard window, you can make a number of useful adjustments to the operating system. To do this, click the "Start" button and select "Control Panel". Here you can also free up some resources by turning off some functions and applications. For example, on most modern computers with a third-party antivirus installed, the system configuration necessarily requires turning off the Windows Defender. Having entered the settings, you need to select the "Programs", then "Options", where you want to uncheck the check. There is an “Administrator” in the menu list. It remains to uncheck “Use this program” and click “Save”. You should not make cabbage from protective anti-virus modules from a computer system, because each of them, working in real time, takes some of the capacities for itself. Algorithms intersect, loading the arbiter with additional work. Obviously, this is overkill. Of course, as we have already indicated, this is true if you have installed a reliable comprehensive anti-virus.
Malware loophole
The correct system configuration should include deactivation of the autorun mechanism of applications from the media. Many works have been written about this, but, alas, not everyone has time to read them, becoming victims of virus programs. Here, in the Control Panel, you need to select "Autostart". In the settings window that appears, uncheck the box, prohibiting the use of this feature. After that, when changing the media (for example, by inserting the CD into the drive), automatic start will not occur. The user must open "My Computer" and independently view the desired media. This is completely uncomplicated.
In general, in the Control Panel, many items allow you to configure. It is useful to look into the "Keyboard", increasing the speed of repetition; in “Mouse” you can change the visual display of cursors, as well as the speed of movement.
Beauty or practicality
System configuration is not possible without making changes to the OS parameters. To do this, call the properties of the "Computer" shortcut (usually on the desktop). After that, a window will open where you need to specify "Advanced system parameters" in the list on the left. Adjusting the parameters of the item "Performance" makes it possible to turn off all visual decorations, bringing the appearance of the OS to the classic (Win 2000). We cannot advise anything in this regard: it all depends on the requirements and preferences of the user himself.
Returning to the familiar
In new versions of the Windows operating system, developers refused to store the Temp temporary files folder in the Windows directory. At first glance, this did not affect anything. However, it is not. During the installation of applications, temporary files are necessarily created . Theoretically, they should be automatically destroyed in the process, freeing up valuable disk space, but this is often not done. As a result, on some computers, the Temp folder reaches an impressive size of several gigabytes. All this garbage can be deleted independently, but the directory of temporary files must be accessible. Its placement is just indicated in the "Environment Variables", called TEMP and TMP.
Thin system configuration. Service Setup
In Windows operating systems, in addition to familiar programs, the concept of “service” is used. These are applications that run in the background, but not through startup. Many of them ensure the operability of the entire software package. With a skillful approach to adjustment, experienced users can significantly affect the final functionality. Consider how this system configuration is implemented. Services can be stopped and started. It is also possible to activate their automatic launch, which is sometimes impossible to do without.
There are several ways to access the window with the list of services. In operating systems with advanced menus, it is enough to press the right mouse button and select “Management” on the “Computer” tab. In the window that appears, you can see the "Services and Applications". By opening the corresponding entry, you can select the desired line. Here, "Status" indicates whether the service is running or not.
For example, if you pay for the Internet by megabytes, it is recommended to disable the automatic downloading of new versions of files. In the “Name” column, select “Windows Update”, double-click the mouse and select “Disabled” in the “Startup Type” menu.